Wild Steelhead

[washelkhntr]

OK, I am not an avid fisherman, in fact I know very little when it comes to fishing on the rivers. So here are a few questions for you experts.

Isn't it illegal to remove wild steelhead from the water? Are the pics in this ad not wild?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/spo/1674727846.html


Sorry if this is a little off the wall, but I am really currious about this.

John

[ribka]

Yep, you are correct. Not supposed to in the state of WA. Not clipped, look wild to me

I think you can in OR and ID.

[Huntbear]

Yea, those are wild fish, and in Wa. doing that is a no no.  Wonder if the Gamies have paid them a visit yet?

[wackmaster]

What if you are on one of the 12 rivers in wa you can keep a wild fish.

[Wacenturion]

Does it say he kept them.........maybe just photo op with fish that were caught.

[ribka]

What if you are on one of the 12 rivers in wa you can keep a wild fish.

Good point. I never thought of that

[huntergreg]

This was the Guides reply to my question~~~~ Isn't it against the law to hold wild fish out of the water?   

Yes it is.
 
2 things!
 
#1 Show me a single guide service or guide that doesn't have pics of fish out of the water. He/they is either new (most likely) or they don't catch them.
 
#2 What year did that law go into affect??? I'm sure it wasn't 1990.
 
Biggest question, would you have felt better if they had been harvested??? You know it's still legal to do so, RIGHT.
 
Wouldn't your efforts be better spent banding sport fishermen together to fight the commercial harvest, removal of dams ect.??
 
LOOK at those pics, what is that strange clear substance dripping from them??  WATER!!
 
EVERY FISH THAT IS RELEASED FROM MY BOAT IS HANDLED WITH THE HIGHEST RESPECT. I USE BIG TACKLE ONLY, THEY ARE PLAYED QUICKLY, HOOK REMOVED, THEY ARE PHOTOGRAPHED QUICKLY AND RELEASED UNHARMED.
 
What size of line are you using. Let me guess #12 maxima ultra green main line and 10 or 12 leader and 2 #2 gamis, to ensure you get a eye in the course of your 20 minute fight.
 
IT WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN MY BOAT,  because you have to play the big fish too long and that is FAR worse than a 5 second hold and snap prior to release.
 
I know what the written law is. What is the intent??? To protect the fish from flopping around in the bottom of YOUR boat or on the gravel while YOU wrestle them to remove the hook.
 
To set your mind at ease, cause I'm sure you have been loosing sleep over this for the last few weeks. I was raised by Coastal Steelhead Fishing Guides, guiding and being mentored by the ORIGINAL C&R Steelheaders. I am not new to this, my oldest regulars have been practicing %100 Single point BARBLESS C&R with my family for 20 years now, always have always will!!!
 
In closing I know this has nothing to do with protection of the fish, it's a personal attack!! You probibly seen me working as hard for my customers as I know how, I gave you a nod, gave you a ton of room and tried to stay off of your water CAUSE I'M AN ASS HOLE.
 
How many other guides did you send this mail to??? I have looked at the other web sites, there are plenty of fish out of the water. Looks as though you have your work cut out for you!!
 
Mike O'Neil

[tlbradford]

Great response to your question.  I totally agree with him.  The bad thing is people who don't know proper fish handling try to emulate these photos and may pull them up on the bank or bottom of the boat like he described.  Other than that a great response.

[uplandhunter870]

wow i think he flew off the handle a little bit there.  almost all anglers know that wild fish should not be taken out of the water, but sometimes it happens, just like speeding.  but i think this guide could have just as easily ignored the email and left it at that or simply replied back yes, dont do what i did.  i personally dont think the natives stay in the water law is really needed but to fly off the handle on a complete stranger asking a simple question, i dont care if youre the best pro angler in the world or who taught you how to fish or who youve been fishing with for how long.  he really needs to re-evaluate how big a role reputation plays in bringing business in for the outdoor pursuit professionals.

[O_mykiss]

It is illegal to remove wild steelhead from the water if you are not on one of the 12 rivers that retention is still allowed and you do not intend to retain the fish.......however it breaks down to one of those "spirit of the law" vs. "letter of the law" situations.

Some folks go way overboard on their interpretation and blow the whistle on anyone who gets caught taking a picture with the fish out of the water.

Catch and release is still a bloodsport no matter how you view it. I believe the intent of the law was to eliminate the beaching or boating of fish in order to cut down on the delayed mortality/spawning success from handling or unintentional injury, not taking a quick picture.

Tail the fish, snap a quick pic, let it go. Everyone walks away happy.

[old boat]

    I think Mr. Guides response was over the top too! As multi-generation fisherman do I get special interpretations of the law? As an ultra light, noodle rod specialist is there a sub section in WDFW rule book I should re-read?
   
In freshwater areas (except in the Columbia River between the Buoy 10 line and the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line) SALMON , STEELHEAD, and
DOLLY VARDEN/BULL TROU T to be released may not be totally removed from the water

Those that make their living from the resource should be the most cognizant of the rules and sticklers for their enforcement. If you have an issue with them, change them.
    It is akin to speeding, you never complain about it when you are the fast one but when someones riding your tail, we all have an opinion and freely express them.   

[fishcrazy]

I don't thik it's wild fish that can't be taken from the water for pics. I think it's any fish that is going to be released. So if you don't bonk it then don't remove it. Has nothing to do with wild fish or pics. Just a little FYI. Maybe I'm wrong as I havn't read it in awhile. I alwasy practice good C&R so it is nothing new to me.

We have all done it but posting them is takeing a chance. And I know one thing I will never be fishing with that guide. I don't like to give *censored*s money!!!


Kris

[KimberRich]

Looks to me like you asked a simple question and the guy went off the deep end..  I'd say that's not the way to get business.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say you didn't book a trip with this guy!     Maybe if you would have said you are new to the sport and have some questions and then asked him maybe he wouldn't have gone nuts but still no excuse for going off on a simple question.. 

[AKBowman]

Looks to me like you asked a simple question and the guy went off the deep end..  I'd say that's not the way to get business.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say you didn't book a trip with this guy!     Maybe if you would have said you are new to the sport and have some questions and then asked him maybe he wouldn't have gone nuts but still no excuse for going off on a simple question.. 

Yes I agree it "looks to me like you asked a simple question". At least that is what you posted on this website. I do find it hard to believe that the only question you asked was "is'nt it illegal to remove a wild fish from the water?".

If you did than it is an over the top answer. If you in fact had further information in your original address to the guide than you should absolutely share that info on the post cuz that isnt really fare.

[Goldeneye]

Update, he revised the ad and re listed under a new link.  Doesn't have the pictures with the fish way out of the water anymore. 

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/spo/1678332834.html